Napa: Napa To Celebrate Fourth Of July With Drone Show

Bay City News

Fireworks may still dominate Fourth of July celebrations in the Bay Area, but one city in the North Bay is embracing an environmentally friendly and technologically innovative way to display its patriotism.

On Thursday, the city of Napa will celebrate the holiday with 400 drones flying high above the city's Oxbow Commons, a park located downtown along the Napa River. The drone performance will be choreographed with music that attendees can stream through a YouTube video on their phones.

The show is being produced by Sky Elements, a Texas-based drone show producer that has produced shows for America's Got Talent, Major League Baseball and the Rose Bowl. The city of Napa reports that the show will be the largest drone show in Northern California during the Fourth of July holiday.

According to city staff reports from February, the cost will be $113,751 to implement the show. It's being partially supported by Napa Hotels & Inns, a membership-based group of hotels and inns that promotes tourism and has sponsored fireworks displays in the city in the past.

The drone show concept stems from the Napa City Council's desire to implement more environmentally friendly projects. The Council and its staff reflected on the health and safety challenges related to firework displays, especially poignant in a county where wildfires have impacted the community, leaving many fearing just one spark could lead to another fire.

The Council also considered letters written by community members, who shared concerns about fire safety, pollution and the impact fireworks have on some pets and people, including veterans. The event was approved in a 3-2 vote in October.

"We're excited to introduce this cutting-edge drone show as part of our 4th of July festivities," said Mayor Scott Sedgley. "It aligns perfectly with our climate action initiatives while ensuring a unique and enjoyable experience for all residents, including our four-legged friends and veteran community who may be sensitive to traditional fireworks."

Napa's Fourth of July Celebration at Oxbow Commons starts at 3 p.m. with live music, a food and drink court, a kid's play area, and carnival games. The drone show starts at 9:30 p.m. More information is available at http://www.cityofnapa.org/395/Community-Events.

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